Kelly Receives Prestigious Community Service Award

By Athletics Communications

University of Oklahoma

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma junior linebacker Caleb Kelly has been named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, the Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association announced Thursday.

Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (FBS)

Freedom Akinmoladun

Nebraska

Rodrigo Blankenship

Georgia

D'Cota Dixon

Wisconsin

Caleb Kelly

Oklahoma

Patrick Laird

Cal

Johnathan Lloyd

Duke

Chase Moore

Texas

Sean Pollard

Clemson

Dalton Risner

K-State

Nic Weishar

Notre Dame

Kielan Whitner

Syracuse

Kelly is part of the prestigious group of 22 college football players selected for their extraordinary commitment to making a lasting impact off the field. He is one of 11 FBS student-athletes, including three from the Big 12 Conference, to earn Good Works Team recognition for his contributions to the community and world at large.

Among his off-field activities, Kelly has served food to needy families in the local community, traveled with Sooners For Haiti, and volunteered with youth camps and a camp for children with special needs. He has also served as president of the OU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the past two years.

Kelly traveled to Haiti as part of Sooners For Haiti with other OU student-athletes to spend a week working with the Mission of Hope to continue rebuilding efforts. He has collaborated with teammates to collect and distribute food to area families during the Thanksgiving holiday, and he served as a guest speaker at After Dark, a one-night event that travels to college campuses across the nation. Kelly also volunteered at the Bethel Foundation, an outdoor adventure camp for boys aged 6-11.

Caleb Kelly spends time every week giving back to the community.

Today, the community gave back to him by surprising him with his Allstate AFCA #GoodWorksTeam trophy during an appearance at Purcell Intermediate School.

The Fresno, Calif., native has volunteered at Camp ClapHans with the JD McCarty Center to enrich the lives of children with special needs by offering a camping experience that builds confidence and a sense of freedom through adventure and exploration of the outdoors. The camp is named after former Sooner Sammy Jack Claphans, who played in the NFL before returning to Oklahoma and becoming a special education teacher and coach before his untimely death at the age of 45.

Kelly has compiled 102 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a Sooner. He is fourth on the team with 10 total tackles through two games so far in 2018. He was a 2017 honorable mention All-Big 12 selection and was named to the Big 12 All-Academic Rookie team in the spring of 2016.

Kelly is the fifth Oklahoma football player named to the AFCA Good Works Team, joining running back Jacob Gutierrez (2006), defensive back Nic Harris (2007), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (2008) and defensive back Quinton Carter (2010).

Fans are encouraged to visit ESPN.com/Allstate to vote for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain now through Nov. 23. The Team Captain will be honored at this season's Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. Throughout the season, fans can follow along and join the conversation by using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels.

Sooners on the AFCA Good Works Team

2018

Caleb Kelly

2010

Quinton Carter

2008

Gerald McCoy

2007

Nic Harris

2006

Jacob Gutierrez

The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a special community service project ahead of the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl, where the entire team will also be recognized on the field during a halftime presentation.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

Speaking at local elementary schools is one of the many ways Kelly gives back to the community throughout the year.